Sea Grant intern returns to A&M from summer of experiences

    Matagorda County became the ultimate outdoor classroom this summer for Trinity Jones, a Sea Grant CEI (Community Engaged Internship) intern, who spent the season diving into the county’s thriving aquaculture industry and environmental education programs.
  From assisting with various environmental educational lessons to community outreach, Trinity spent her summer in hands-on learning mode. 
  A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who welcomed Trinity and offered valuable insight into their expertise. 
  Trinity’s summer journey - with this support - wove together those threads into a summer of discovery, growth, and inspiration.
  Nearly 100 youth from the YMCA Environmental Summer Camps in Bay City and Palacios, along with programs at the City by the Sea Museum of Palacios and Sargent Library, participated in hands-on lessons covering various topics such as angler education, marine ecology, wildlife conservation, sea turtle rescue, and plastic pollution—connecting learning with real-world coastal stewardship.
  As part of Texas Sea Grant’s Monofilament Recovery & Recycling Program (MRRP), Trinity and I visited collection bins in Matagorda, Sargent, and Palacios - gathering discarded fishing line for proper recycling. 
  We also scouted potential new bin locations to expand this conservation initiative, keeping harmful plastics out of our bays and waterways. 
  Discarded fishing line poses serious entanglement risks to fish, sea turtles, birds, and even people, making MRRP an essential effort for protecting both wildlife and the community.
  We had the opportunity to spend time with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) coastal fisheries staff, observing a creel survey in action. 
  It was truly exciting to witness local anglers actively enjoying and responsibly utilizing Matagorda County’s abundant natural resources. 
  From prized species like red snapper, red drum, and spotted trout, the vibrant fishing community showcased the rich biodiversity of the area. 
  Matagorda County, home to roughly 2,000 acres of aquaculture producing $24.5 million annually, is the beating heart of Texas’ seafood and fisheries industry. 
  It’s also the “Shrimp Capital of Texas,” with hundreds of shrimping vessels working out of Palacios. 
  Trinity and I had the pleasure of touring multiple aquaculture fish farms and oyster farming operations, processing facilities, met with shrimpers on the docks, and saw firsthand how the seafood that feeds Texas - and beyond - gets from water to table.
  Our journey continued at Texas Parks and Wildlife fish hatcheries and Palacios Marine Agricultural Research (PMAR), a state-of-the-art oyster hatchery and nursery dedicated to restoring and sustaining Texas oyster populations. 
  PMAR is capable of producing up to 20 million oyster larvae per week, supporting both restoration projects and the growing aquaculture industry. 
  Being able to install an oyster garden off the PMAR pier gave Trinity the chance to monitor spat collection, track growth rates, and test water quality herself - connecting classroom knowledge to the real-world challenges of cultivating healthy oyster reefs. 
  The Oyster Gardening project is a Texas Master Naturalist initiative across Matagorda, Calhoun, and Aransas Counties focused on restoring oyster reefs - not harvesting oysters for consumption.
  Trinity’s experience also included courtesy TED (Turtle Excluder Device) check training in Palacios, where she learned from Sea Grant Specialist Matthew Kammann, how shrimp nets are inspected to protect endangered sea turtles. 
  The session linked environmental policy to the daily realities of the shrimping industry.
  From environmental youth programming, shrimp boats, fish farms, hatcheries, to oyster gardens, Trinity’s summer revealed the depth of Matagorda County’s connection to the coast. 
  Here, science, industry, and conservation don’t just meet - they work hand-in-hand. 
  As Trinity returns to Texas A&M to complete her dual degree, a bachelor’s in Geosciences and a master’s in Oceanography, she leaves with lasting memories and a special connection to Matagorda County.